An Illustrated Guide to the Native Plant Garden by Susan Carpenter

This August rain garden view shows cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis), yellow Sweet black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia subtomentosa) and tall spikes of Culver’s root (Veronicastrum virginicum) and the white mountain mint (Pycnanthemum virginianum). The site has heavy clay soil and receives full sun for most of the day. The Culver’s root is under some moisture stress—how can you tell?